The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-05-28
THE OTHER HORN OF THE D1LE,,~-


out egotism or self-conceit, may # Di.
graduate itself upon the improved az to
moderated spirit and tone which now
characterize the discussions Of the
gubernatorial question. The factions
have grown mi!der in their claims and
assertions. They are willing to admit
the probability of more than TWO can
didates and no longer revie as traitors
those who do not swear allegiance to
their faction. Greater harmony and
less blind partisanship prevails ana we
believe this result is entirely due to
those loyal and independent Democrats
who have refused to enter a Kilkenny
tactional fight.
We claim no credit for the pant we
have taken in soothing "tha troubled
waters," for we believe it "A matter of
simple duty for us and all journalists
to consult and All vocaie the best inter-
ests of the people and lead them, as
best we may, TO good government,
prosperity and honor.
To US ii has seemed clear that the
best Interests Oft people OF Louisiana
lay neither in the direction OF McEncry
nor of Nichols. We have stnrdiIy re-
fused to believe that this great State
was reduced to a choice between two
such evils as Ring Rule ard Eeaciion-
airy Reform, the former being typified
by McEnery and tie latter represented
by Nicholas The dilemma, on which
the factions sought To force our poor
State, had two horns. both si,arp, dan-
gerous and deadly. We have had oc-
casion lately to dwell upon some of the
specifications which render us unaiter-
ably opposed to the personal govern
ment Of McIInery and his clique of
favored friends and we deem it proper
now TO formulate our objections to the
orabie retirement.
Both Carlyle and Enmorson agree
that great men are created for certain
conditions of aTairs--are adapted as
it were to their environment-aud
suit the great occasion which calls
forth their great qualities. So when
the people of Louisiana were engaged
in the terrible struggle against Radi-
calism and negro domination, they
needed not a leader nor an organizer
but political figure-head whose pecu-
=
ciliate opposition from abroad and
reconcile the United States authori-
ties to the results of the real and fate
| fu, conflict which was being fought at
home. Nichols suit ,d this transition
period. Not a politician, not a parti-
san, not Il statesman, his past was such
that neither Southern Democrats nor
Northern Republicans could seriously
object TO him. He admirably served
the purpose for which he was selected ;
but unfortunately the very qualities
for which he had been chosen led him
to assail and condemn the men and
| methods which had succeeded in eject
| inC him. 1t has been said that Qua
chita parish elected President Of the
United States in 1876. Without claim
ing so much we may safely assert that
the fight made and the spirit engen-
dered in Ouachi:a parish in 1876 de-
tcrmined the rcsn!: of the st >.o clcc-
ton in that year. 1t cannot be said
that Nichols was so ignorant that he
did not know this before and after the
| election. Nor can il tc said that be
bet rayed the men who he knew had
elevated him TO power. He simply
acted transitional bipartisan hall
and half policy which has since been
called Mugwumpcry. As Governor,
Nichols has been called the most per-
feet Mugwump in all history. lie was
''neither fish, flesh or fowl, nor yet Il
red herring!' Compelled by his very
nature he constantly trampled on
Democratic usagcs and principles, fra
ternizsd with Republicans, appointed
words and deeds the rcvolut ION which
brought about and has maintained
white supremacy in this State.
No enc can deny that il Was The
avowed policy aud earnest effort OF
Nichols TO maintain the political
stdtu quo. He was Stutm qtto Gov